A5049823485- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Plant and animal studies
- Ecosystem dynamics and resilience
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Planarian Biology and Electrostimulation
- Marine and fisheries research
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Sustainability and Ecological Systems Analysis
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Environmental Philosophy and Ethics
- Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
- Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies
- Diatoms and Algae Research
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity and ecology
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Marine and coastal plant biology
McMaster University
2013-2024
Université de Montréal
2010
Emergence of the metacommunity concept has made a substantial contribution to better understanding community composition and dynamics in regional context. However, long-term field data for testing available models are still scarce, extent which these apply real world remains unknown. Tests conducted so far have largely sought fit on entire set species one several models, implicitly assuming that all operate similarly over same sites. differ their habitat use. These differences can, most...
Abstract The relative sensitivity of four benthic invertebrates ( Hyalella azteca, Chironomus riparius, Hexagenia spp., and Tubifex tubifex ) was determined for Cd, Cu, Ni in water‐only spiked‐sediment exposures. Survival (median lethal concentrations [LC50s] the estimated to be 25% test organisms [LC25s]), endpoints growth reproduction (mean inhibitory [IC25s]) were compared. sensitivities differed depending on species metal, although some trends emerged. In exposures, H. azteca is most...
Complex systems science has contributed to our understanding of ecology in important areas such as food webs, patch dynamics and population fluctuations. This been achieved through the use simple measures that can capture difference between order disorder models with local interactions generate surprising behaviour at larger scales. However, close examination reveals commonly applied definitions complexity fail accommodate some key features ecological systems, a fact will limit contribution...
Abstract Synthesis research in ecology and environmental science improves understanding, advances theory, identifies priorities, supports management strategies by linking data, ideas, tools. Accelerating challenges increases the need to focus synthesis on most pressing questions. To leverage input from broader community, we convened a virtual workshop with participants many countries disciplines examine how where can address key questions themes coming decade. Seven priority topics emerged:...
With global freshwater biodiversity declining at an even faster rate than in the most disturbed terrestrial ecosystems, understanding effects of changing environmental conditions on relationships between and variability community population processes aquatic ecosystems is significant interest. Evidence accumulating that loss results more variable communities; however, mechanisms underlying this effect have been subject considerable debate. We manipulated species richness nutrients outdoor...
Prediction of extinction and colonization rates for whole species assemblages emerges as an urgent task ecology. We hypothesized that nestedness assemblage reflects differential ability to occupy sites support species. If correct, a nested ordering should condense long‐term dynamics metacommunities. To test this we characterized the use habitat (niche position niche breadth) using eight surveys invertebrate communities inhabiting 49 tropical rock pools. examined temporal consistency rank...
While species loss may affect the temporal variability of populations and communities differently in multi‐ versus single‐trophic level communities, nature these differences are poorly understood. Here, we report on an experiment where manipulated richness multi‐trophic rock pool invertebrate to determine effects richness, S, populations, individual species. As studies, community abundance decreased with increasing richness. However, contrast most studies systems, also as increased....
Earlier studies have found that diversity, S, stabilizes the relative variability of combined biomass or abundance species making up a community. However, effect S on constituent has been elusive. We hypothesize proportion specialists increases with and, because are more variable, this shift in composition will mask stabilizing populations The test uses data and ecological specialization 49 natural rock pool invertebrate communities. Initial analyses produced inconclusive results similar to...
AbstractThe effect of species richness on the temporal variability communities and populations continues to inspire investigations debates; however, few empirical studies have addressed crucial question how relationship between changes along a gradient environmental variability. We determined (S) (coefficient variation, CV) for both community population abundances aquatic invertebrates inhabiting 49 tropical coastal rock pools that differ in When all are considered, results support...
Controversy on whether local (deterministic) or regional (stochastic) factors control the structure of communities persists after decades research. The main reason for why it has not been resolved may lie in nature evidence which largely comes from realized natural communities. In such assembly history leaves a mark that support either set factors. To avoid confounding effects we controlled these experimentally. We created null community by mixing 17 rock pool then divided into replicates...
Abstract Asynchronous fluctuations of populations are essential for maintaining stable levels biomass and ecosystem function in landscapes. Yet, understanding the stabilization metacommunities by asynchrony is complicated existence multiple forms that typically studied independently: Community ecologists, instance, focus on within among local communities, while population ecologists emphasize metapopulations. Still, other asynchrony, such as which underlies spatial insurance effect, not...